It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 8 Review: The Golden Bachelor Live

Romance and the Gang isn’t something naturally associated. However, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 8, “The Golden Bachelor Live,” helps Frank find love. It’s a beautiful, messy tribute to The Bachelor franchise and the FXX series.

I admit that I have had a mixed reaction to Season 17. It starts strong, but hits a slump for a few episodes. However, the last few episodes of Season 17 have been some of the show’s best. “The Golden Bachelor Live” falls into that category.

Frank’s quest for love leads to three very eligible bachelorettes: a parody of the Hawk Tuah girl, Bonnie Kelly, and a woman named Sam. All three women are fabulous in these roles.

Lynne Marie Stewart offers a final look at Bonnie that reminds us why we have adored the character for these 17 seasons. You never suspect that Frank may have a soulmate and she actually be charming. This is the case with Carol Kane’s Sam.

She’s like Frank if he somehow made his disgusting behavior look cool and quirky. Audrey Corsa’s Cock Chewa perfectly parodies this social media viral celebrity. She’s vulgar, annoying, and dumb as hell, but also somehow a genius for making this her whole career.

Frank couldn’t have three better potential matches. You know that Sam is the right choice, but he will likely pick Cock Chewa. Additionally, the Gang even says this, but nope. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia goes against expectations, and he picks Sam.

It’s a shocking ending. It’s also an insanely romantic ending. Frank picks love, and it kind of stuns you.

We kept expecting to see a few months later, showing Frank leave Sam for Cock Chewa or something. However, we fully expect next season to start with Frank saying Sam died or something. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia doesn’t do happy endings.

It’s a blessing and a curse. Therefore, we just appreciate the show going the romantic route this time.

“The Golden Bachelor Live” is also more of a tribute to Danny DeVito. Overall, Season 17 has been a very Frank positive season. It starts with an episode that plays on the idea of losing him and ends with one that shows us why DeVito is such a star.

It reminds us just how much the world may eventually mourn him (hopefully 400 years from now). Then it allows Frank some happiness, a rarity for these characters. DeVito plays into the many shades of Frank.

He’s disgusting at times, endearing in other moments, and always a star. It’s truly an episode with Frank at his best and worst.

Overall, “The Golden Bachelor Live” may end up making the list of best Sunny episodes ever. We’ll have to see where this one lands in the history books, but the future looks promising. It’s a very strong ending for the season.

Stray Thoughts

• I hope It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia goes against expectations again and has Sam remain a recurring character next season.
• The Lynne Marie Stewart tribute is a beautiful one.
• Jesse Palmer’s cameo is a fairly good one. He plays his host character well, but adds some fun additions, like his shock but composure with the absurdity of it all.
• The Gang kind of gets a break this episode, but their few moments of screen time are brilliant.
• Charlie losing it at dinner is hilarious, but in a typical Charlie way.

What did you think of this episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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